2012.01.09 Monday Morning Message

Message from the archives of Richard Evans:

Top of the morning and best wishes from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, located in the heart of Vinita, Oklahoma.

My sole message today may be summed up in four words: "DON'T DESPISE SMALL THINGS!" To be faithful in little things is a great qualification for great things!

Perhaps the greatest fault of our age is that we are in too big a hurry to pay attention to small things which might improve our life.

What are some of those small things?

1. convey congratulations to friends (especially young people) when some success or happiness comes to them.
2. extend a word of appreciation for the work of someone you know.
3. extend sympathy. Comfort comes when one knows that others are sharing their sorrow.
   

Perhaps being diligent in doing small things prompted Emerson's fable, "The Mountain and the Squirrel."

"The mountain and the squirrel had a quarrel. And the former called the latter 'Little Prig'; Bun replied, 'You are doubtless very big; but all sorts of things and weather must be taken in together, to make up a year and a sphere. And I think it no disgrace to occupy my place. If I'm not so large as you, you are not so small as I, and not half so spry. I'll not deny you make a very pretty squirrel track; talents differ; all is well and wisely put; if I cannot carry forests on my back, neither can you crack a nut.'"

"Talents differ!" Thank goodness we're not all alike!

Peace,
Richard

2011.9.19 Monday Morning!

Top of the morning from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, located in the heart of Vinita, Oklahoma.

In tennis "love" stands for zero, no score. According to ASK OXFORD, the use of the word "love" originated from the phrase "love of the game."  Win or lose, tennis is played for the love of it.

In his definitive love chapter (1 Corinthians 13), Paul writes "love keeps no score of wrongs."  Isn't that wonderful? Love is not a system of book keeping.  Too many people keep a list of wrongs, imagined or real, and in a fit of anger unload the whole list on an unsuspecting spouse, family member or friend, none of whom realize that their words and actions were being documented.

Tension is part of every relationship, but tension can be good if it moves people into dialogue with one thoughts break open boundaries we may have placed on love.

We are not required to like everyone.  We may disagree with one another, but genuine love keeps no score of wrongs.   Play for the love of the game and live for the love of life.

Cheers and best wishes,

Richard

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